Embark on a 15-day trek to Everest Base Camp, an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Himalayas. Your adventure begins with a thrilling mountain flight to Lukla, followed by a scenic trail that winds through charming Sherpa villages, ancient monasteries, and forests filled with birch, fir, juniper, and blooming rhododendron. As you move higher into the Khumbu Valley, the mountains open up around you with stunning views of snow-covered peaks, including the striking Ama Dablam, often called the “Matterhorn of the Himalayas.” You will follow in the footsteps of legendary climbers, crossing glacial rivers and high ridgelines, and gradually acclimatize before reaching Kalapathar. More than just a trek, this is a journey into the culture, nature, and spirit of Nepal’s high Himalaya.
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be met and assisted by one of our representatives.
After collecting your baggage, follow the path outside the airport where our local guides will be waiting in the arrivals section.
Enjoy a relaxing evening.
After breakfast, begin your day by exploring Kathmandu, Nepal’s bustling cultural and political capital. Your first stop is the Swayambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the Monkey Temple, this ancient and sacred Buddhist shrine offers breathtaking views of the Kathmandu Valley.
Next, head to Patan, also known as Lalitpur, famed for its exquisite craftsmanship and architectural beauty. Wander through its narrow lanes to discover beautifully preserved temples, courtyards, and palaces. Patan’s artisans, masters of ancient techniques, create stunning sculptures that highlight the city’s rich artistic heritage.
Early morning, transfer to the airport for a thrilling flight to Lukla, a gateway to Everest. The Lukla airstrip, famously short and sloped, offers a breathtaking start to your adventure.
Upon arrival, meet your guide and crew, identify your luggage, and prepare for the trek. Your team will load the gear onto animals or porters, and you’ll set off on a scenic trek to Monjo.
Note: During peak seasons, flights will divert from Kathmandu to Manthali and then to Lukla.
Continue your trek northward up the Dudh Kosi valley to Jorsale, where you’ll officially enter Sagarmatha National Park. At the entrance station just beyond the village, your trekking permits will be checked, and national park fees collected.
The trail then leads you across the Bhote Kosi River, setting the stage for a steep climb up to Namche Bazaar. As the administrative center of Sagarmatha National Park and the heart of Sherpa society, Namche Bazaar offers a unique cultural experience. Along the way, keep an eye out for glimpses of Mt. Everest, a thrilling preview of what’s to come.
After breakfast, continue your trek to Tashinga. Along the way, you’ll pass trains of yaks, dzos, and porters.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. If you’re feeling well-acclimated to the altitude, you might consider exploring the area or taking a short hike nearby. For those who prefer a slower pace, this is the perfect time to relax and allow your body to adjust to the altitude.
This morning, looking across the valley, you can see the path sloping diagonally up towards the famous monastery of Tengboche, but first you must descend to the river. This takes about an hour, descending steeply in a series of zigzags to the Dudh Kosi River. From the river, it takes approximately 2-3 hours to reach the monastery at a slow, even pace.
The ascent begins with a steep climb through a shaded pine forest before emerging onto a long, gentle path that rises like a ramp toward your monastery. Emerging at the top, there is a mandala gateway and a huge chorten, which are passed before your first sight of the gompa. The setting is nothing short of magic and it is incredible to think that the temple was burnt down only a few years ago and was re-built largely through the efforts of the Sir Edmund Hillary Trust.
This morning, you will head for an excursion to Ama Dablam base camp. For this walk you begin by crossing the Imja river on a suspension bridge, followed a gradual ascent until Lhabarma where you will find yourself standing right in front of the mountain ridge. From here you have an incredible view of Ama Dablam (6856m), Kantega (6783m), Nuptse ridge (7879m), Lobuche peak (6090m), Pumori (7165m), Thamserku (6623m), Kangtega (6783m), Cholatse (6335m), Taboche peak (6495m), Khumbi La (5765m), Kwangde Ri (6011m) and the beautiful mimbo glacier.
Ama Dablam base camp is located at an altitude of 4,575m on an open yak pasture beneath the west face of the mountain. The climbing route, southwest ridge and the hanging glacier, the treasure box of Ama Dablam sits almost straight above.
The trail climbs slowly, winding above the Imjatse River, to the main Stupa. From here, the walk is moderate as you enter the Imjatse Valley beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse (25,790 ft.) and Lhotse (27,890 ft.) with views of the eastern snow-capped mountains including the Island Peak or Imjatse (20,305 ft.).
Dingboche is a large and important town in the Chhukung Valley, set amid a beautiful patchwork of fields which are enclosed by stone walls protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.
To help you continue acclimatizing for your attempt to visit Kala Pathar and Everest Base Camp, today you hike to a nearby hill (4,900 m approx.) for acclimatization hike.
Return to the hotel for lunch. The rest of the day will be at leisure.
Today’s onward journey leads north, and the path heads up for about 40-50 minutes until you come to a mani-prayer stupa. The trail is gentle as you leave the grass-carpeted valley and slowly climb upwards. Today’s walk offers views of Mt. Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north, Pokalde, Kongma-tse and the great wall of Nuptse. After a walk of almost two hours the trail from Pheriche joins near Dugla right before a small wooden bridge over the river of the Khumbu Glacier. Stop at Dugla for lunch, and afterward continue for an hour up a steep hill. At the top take a short break to breathe in the panorama of Mt. Pumori and other peaks west of Everest. From this point on, there is every possibility that you could feel the effects of high altitude. A two-hour trek takes you up to Lobuche, hidden and sheltered from the wind.
Today marks the culmination of your journey —the day you reach Everest base camp. After an early breakfast trek up the valley follow a rocky moraine path with views of the icy-glacial pond and icebergs of the Khumbu Glacier below. After the last of the rocky moraine dunes, a short walk downhill brings you to Gorakshep on the flat field below Kala Pathar and Mt. Pumori. Gorakshep is the location of the original Everest Base Camp. The trek to Everest Base Camp from Gorakshep follows the Khumbu Glacier and is especially intriguing for its landscape of 50-foot high seracs of ice which are a peculiar feature to Himalayan Glaciers.
Everest Base Camp is not one specific site. Various expeditions have selected different locations as their semi-permanent camp and final staging area for their assault on Everest. The trek to Everest Base Camp is not as remarkable as the ascent of Kala Pathar as is does not provide a view of Everest itself. However, these moments near the top of the earth are not to be rushed. The feeling of accomplishment in visiting the base camp for the tallest mountain on earth is exhilarating. As the day slips along, retrace your steps down the glacial streams and return, tired but triumphant, to your lodge in Gorakshep for a well-earned rest.
Early morning, walk to Kalapathar from Gorakshep involves about 1.5 to 2 hours walk. The walk is gradual till you reach the rocky spot after an hour walk. From here another uphill climb for ½ hour brings you to Kalapathar, 5,288m. From Kalapathar top, the views will be beyond your wildest imagination, with Everest seeming within a stone’s throw distance between the summit of Mt. Nuptse and Lho-La and Lhotse on the back. After a great moment, an hour’s descent takes you back to Gorakshep and then all the way back to Pheriche for the night.
From Periche, fly back to Lukla by helicopter. Continue the helicopter transfer to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel.
The rest of the day is free.
Today after a leisurely breakfast, visit Pashupatinath which is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in Nepal. Pashupatinath Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dedicated to the Hindu god of destruction, Lord Shiva, the temple with its astonishing architecture of gilded roof and richly carved silver doors, is thronged with devotees and pilgrims from all over the world. Access to the shrine is strictly limited to Hindus; however, others are permitted to view the temple from the east banks of the river Bagmati.
Continue to Boudhanath – one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu and is a center of Tibetan Buddhism. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stupa is built on a massive three level mandala and is one of the largest in the world. A popular tourist attraction, there are many shops around the stupa selling souvenirs, handicrafts, and a variety of exclusive Tibetan specialties and delicacies.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Transfer to the International airport in time to board the outbound flight.
This is a sample itinerary and can be modified according to the client's interests. While all the information in this itinerary is accurate to the best of our knowledge, changes to our trips can and do occur. These changes may be due to our efforts to improve the program or for logistical reasons such as alterations in flight schedules, traffic conditions, weather conditions, or government policies. Dharma Adventures will make every effort to keep you informed of any changes but cannot be held liable for any modifications made to the published itinerary.
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